The Swear Jar

by Osorio, Audra

  “There’s a place I’d like to show you,” said Duncan, before he could chicken out. “I hope you’ll like it.”

  “I’m intrigued, Sir Duncan,” replied Meara. “Lead the way.”

  He led them to the horse paddock. There were horses and ponies of different colors in the field. As luck would have it, Bob was coming out of the barn with a small bucket.

  “Hello, Bob!” waved Duncan.

  “Hello, Duncan!” Bob waved back. “I haven’t seen you in a long time. How have you been?”

  “Fine. Just fine. And you?”

  “Couldn’t be better. Who’s this with you?”

  “This is Meara and her niece, Anne. If it’s all right, I thought I would show them the horses and ponies.”

  “Hello ladies, it’s nice to meet you. Any friend of Duncan’s is a friend of mine. But Duncan, you know the rules, this place is off limits.”

  Anne looked longingly at the horses and ponies. She sighed and waved at the horses. Disappointed, she slowly turned to go back the way they had come.

  Bob chuckled. “Unless I put you to work. Anne, do you think you could feed the horses some apples and carrots?”

  Duncan appreciated Bob’s easygoing sense of humor. When Duncan and Brenda had found the paddock, Bob had said the same thing to them. Anne took the bucket Bob held out.

  “I’d love to! What should I do?” Anne asked. “What can I give each horse or pony?”

  “They can get a little greedy, so give each horse or pony only one apple and one carrot apiece,” Bob replied.

  Bob locked eyes with Duncan, subtly nodding his head. Anne squirmed uncontrollably. Bob started to walk back to the barn, but not until Anne showed her appreciation.

  “Thank you, Mr. Bob!” Anne squealed. “Sir Duncan, you’re awesome! Thank you! Here are two apples and two carrots. Can you and Aunt Meara feed the ponies?”

  Duncan chuckled, looking down at the apples and carrots in his hands. “I guess we have our job assignment, Lady Meara.”

  “I’m glad she remembered to thank you and Bob,” replied Meara. “I wanted to thank you too. It’s peaceful here. The horses are beautiful. How did you find this place?”

  “My wife, Brenda, and I used to come here. Bob put us to work too. It’s a special place for me, not sad, but quiet. After she passed away, I used to watch the horses. Bob wanted me to feed them, but I only watched.”

  “I’m sorry about Brenda. I’m glad you have happy memories of this place. I’m glad it helped you cope after she passed,” she said softly.

  “I knew you’d understand how I felt.” Duncan sighed.

  “It’s not a club anyone wants to join, but we have to stick together. I’m glad I met you, Duncan.” She lightly touched his arm.

  “I’m glad I met you too, Meara. Want to feed some ponies?” He held out the apples and carrots to her.

  “Do you mean go in there and feed them?” She waved her hands. “I’m not sure I want to do that.”

  “Are you afraid of ponies?” He grinned with disbelief.

  “I had a bad experience with a nipping pony. How about I follow you?”

  He wasn’t sure what to do. Brenda would have run off and fed the ponies. He would have followed Brenda. Now Meara wanted him to take the lead.

  “Lady Meara, why don’t you take my arm and away we’ll go?” He tucked the carrots into his back pocket and held the apples in his hand.

  She put her hand on his arm. Anne was nearby, merrily feeding the horses. The ponies knew treats were headed their way.

  “Here comes one,” said Meara, ducking behind him without letting go of his arm.

  “We’ll do this nice and slow, so no one will spook,” he said. “I’m going to hold out the apple, making sure I tuck my fingers in so he doesn’t get a nibble.”

  “Brave, Sir Duncan,” she murmured, leaning forward against his back. “Be careful!”

  The pony munched happily while they watched. The second pony headed for her, nuzzling her side. Her hand slid down his arm and into his hand, intertwining their fingers. She wrapped her other hand around his bicep, pressing her breasts into his arm. A thrill went through him. He wondered if she making a pass at him. Then he saw the terrified look on her face.

  “Duncan,” she breathed. “What is he doing? Don’t let him eat me!”

  “He won’t eat you, I promise. He’s just looking for his treat. Take this carrot and hold it out to him.”

  Chapter Six

  Meara took the carrot, continuing to hold Duncan’s hand. She leaned towards the pony. He squeezed her hand encouragingly. The pony took the carrot. Meara smiled at Duncan. She realized he was stroking her hand with his thumb. She was about to let go when the first pony nudged him from the other side.

  “Whoa, buddy,” he laughed. “I have a carrot for you too! Do you want to feed this pony?”

  “No, I’ll watch you.” She stroked his palm with her thumb. “Do you think my friend wants his apple?”

  “He’d follow us home to get it! You better give it to him.” He didn’t want to let go of her hand.

  She took the apple. Turning, she was surprised to see the pony right next to her. She jumped, unintentionally releasing Duncan’s hand.

  “Yikes! He’s close. Are you sure he isn’t going to eat me?” she whispered.

  “Librarian-eating ponies are rare, but they do exist. I can’t rule out the possibility. If you give him the apple, we’ll make a run for it.” He liked teasing her.

  “You’ve been hanging out with Anne too much.” Smiling, she gave the pony the apple.

  “Now back out slowly. If they follow us, we’ll let them eat Anne,” he grinned.

  She giggled merrily. Backing away from the ponies, they headed towards the gate. Anne was waiting, swinging an empty bucket.

  “What took you so long?” Anne cried. “I’m already done!”

  “Why am I not surprised?” Meara replied. “Now, Anne, we have to get those plants and return Duncan to the library. It’s getting late and I’m sure we’re keeping Duncan from important work. Get moving, young lady.”

  “Sir Duncan, do you really need to get back to the library?” asked Anne.

  “I don’t want to contradict your aunt. Let’s say I could keep myself busy if I were back at the library, but I like having fun now and then. What kind of plants were you ladies looking for today?” asked Duncan.

  “She has some boring list,” huffed Anne. “If it’s not on the list, she won’t get it. It’s always like that!”

  Meara said, “And there’s a good reason. You talk to me and I forget things. It’s self-defense. You know I only stick to the list to annoy you.”

  Anne scrunched up her nose and squinted. “You’re so mean.”

  Meara blew the raspberry at Anne. “Go get a greenhouse cart and we’ll get started.”

  Anne ran off, her braids flying. Duncan waited for Anne to be out of hearing to give a hearty laugh.

  Meara rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to live with her.”

  She followed her list while Anne brought over different plants that were quickly vetoed. Anne was frustrated. She picked up marigolds and approached Meara. Duncan caught Anne’s attention and winked at her.

  “Anne, marigolds! That’s perfect. Some gardeners say having marigolds repels deer and insects,” said Duncan.

  Meara raised an eyebrow. “Pest control? Anne, pick out a few marigolds. Good job, Anne. Thank you, Duncan.”

  Beaming at him, Anne ran off to gather the marigolds. Meara went back to choosing plants. The greenhouse cart was soon filled to bursting.

  Meara sighed. “I think we’re done. Thank you, Duncan, for everything. It’s been a wonderful day.”

  He replied, “It’s been my pleasure. I don’t see many flower plants. I thought you’d like flowers in your garden.”

  “I’m a black thumb. I’ll be surprised if these plants make it. I’d hate to kill any pretty flowers. These plants have a chance if Anne waters them.”
She shrugged.

  “She’s horrible with plants. She killed a cactus. She’s so weird. She doesn’t like roses. She thinks they belong in a garden, not in a florist shop,” Anne said. “She likes carnations and wildflowers because they’re practical.”

  Meara rolled her eyes. “We should get Duncan back to the library before it closes.”

  Anne navigated the greenhouse cart towards the checkout stand. Duncan followed, smiling and shaking his head. They could keep him entertained all afternoon. Near the checkout counter was a display case full of baked goods. Anne was drooling over the goodies.

  “Don’t even think about it,” said Meara, leaving Duncan and Anne by the baked goods.

  Duncan chuckled. “She’s tough.”

  “She’s worse than my own mother,” Anne replied seriously. “Look at those chocolate chocolate chip cookies. Sir Duncan, what kind of cookies do you like?”

  “I like the classic chocolate chip cookies but I also like the chocolate chunk and the M&M cookies.”

  Meara was listening as the cashier rang up their order. “Anne, take the cart to the Jeep and start loading the plants.”

  Anne sighed. “She’s so bossy.”

  Duncan laughed. “I’ll help you.”

  Duncan and Anne loaded the plants into the Jeep. Meara joined them. She was carrying a plastic bag, but didn’t offer any explanations. He gave her directions and soon they were back at the library. She pulled up to the front of the library and stopped. They looked at Anne in the backseat. She was asleep.

  “She’s had lots of excitement. I’ll take her home and throw her in the pool,” teased Meara. “No response. She’s really out. Thank you for everything, Sir Duncan. I can’t remember the last time I had such a wonderful adventure.”

  “Thank you for sharing it with me, Lady Meara,” he replied. “I’m looking forward to Monday.”

  “So am I.” Blushing, she handed him a large, white bag. “I have something for you.”

  He opened it. “Chocolate chip and M&M cookies. Thank you.”

  “A small token of my appreciation, Sir Duncan. You deserve them for putting up with us,” she said quietly.

  She reached out to shake his hand. He held her hand firmly. They looked into each other’s eyes. The world melted away as Meara got lost in his eyes.

  “Until Monday, Mr. Phillips,” she whispered.

  “Until Monday, Lady Meara,” he replied with a twinkle in his green eyes. “We’re not inside the library.”

  Never looking away from her eyes, he brought her hand to his lips. He kissed her knuckles then he slowly released her hand. She turned a bright red. He got out of the Jeep and smiled at her through the open window.

  She managed to squeak. “Goodbye.”

  “Goodbye.” Grinning, he turned and without looking back, entered the library.

  She sat dazed for a few seconds. She sighed and smiled as she stared at the hand he had kissed. A voice from the backseat startled her.

  “Did he kiss your hand?” Anne asked.

  “Yes, he did. I’m being wooed.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Wooed. Courted. Romanced.”

  “He does like you.”

  “Be quiet, Anne. I thought you were asleep.”

  “It got quiet. I saw him kissing your hand. Do you like him?”

  “If I tell you yes, will you leave me alone?”

  “Nope.”

  “If I tell you no, will you leave me alone?”

  “Nope.”

  “I can’t win, can I?”

  “Nope.”

  “Is that all you can say?”

  “Yep.”

  “Anne, you’re going to be the death of me.”

  “Yep. Did you get any cookies for us?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe yes or maybe no?”

  “Maybe you’ll find out after we’ve unloaded the plants and get a kettle of water boiling for tea.”

  “I’ll skip the tea and go for the cookies. Did you get the chocolate chocolate chip cookies?”

  “Yep.”

  Anne bounded out of the Jeep as soon as Meara drove up to the front porch of the ranch house. Anne emptied the plants from the Jeep in record time.

  “I’m drooling, Aunt Meara. Can I have a cookie now?” Anne danced and begged.

  “Okay, kid, but if you spoil your dinner, I know nothing.”

  “It’s a deal. You never answered me.”

  “About what?”

  “Do you like him?”

  Meara looked at Anne very seriously. “I do. Can we leave it at that? No teasing or asking questions?”

  “Yep.”

  Monday morning, Duncan awoke before the alarm. The weekend had gone by quickly. He still wondered what had possessed him to kiss Meara’s hand. He had made her blush and speechless at the same time. He grinned. He bounded out of bed in nervous anticipation. He was washed and shaved in record time.

  With a towel around his waist, he contemplated what to wear. He didn’t usually wear suits, but today wasn’t an ordinary day. It was her first day. But if he wore a suit, Tom and Lucy would tease him. He patted his belly and thought about joining a gym. He decided he would wear his usual slacks and dress shirt, no tie. He dressed quickly. He even had time for a cup of coffee and a bagel.

  He made a quick stop at Maple Tree Farm. He bought chocolate kisses and an enormous bouquet of flowers. The bouquet was filled with brightly colored gerbera daisies, statice, alstroemeria, mini-carnations and spider mums. He made it to the library earlier than usual. He wanted to be there when she arrived. He unlocked the Youth Services office. He placed the chocolate kisses in a glass bowl the previous librarian had used for peppermints. He wrinkled his nose because he didn’t like peppermints. He hoped Meara liked chocolate.

  He found a vase in the staff kitchen. She would probably like to arrange the bouquet herself. He had no idea how to do it. He chuckled about her dislike of roses. What woman didn’t like roses? He relocked the office door. He wondered if she would be early or on time. What would she wear? Would she go home for lunch? Would she show up at all? He rolled his eyes. He sounded like a lovesick schoolboy. He stood at the Circulation Desk and stared out the front doors looking for her.

  He spotted her coming up the walk. She was dressed in blue slacks, a light blue blouse and brown leather shoes. Her hair was in a ponytail. She was carrying two plastic totes and a large dark blue bag over her shoulder. She stared at the locked door, willing it open. He rushed forward to unlock the door.

  “Thank you, Mr. Phillips. I was wondering how I was going to manage it,” she beamed.

  “Good morning, Miss Meara. Were you planning on moving in?” He teased.

  “Good morning. This is only the tip of the iceberg. These are the bare necessities of the job. I’ll bring more stuff once I figure out what I’m going to need.”

  Holding the door, he reached for one of the totes. “Here, let me help.”

  “Thanks. They get heavy after a while.”

  “You’re not kidding. What’s in here? Do I see tools? Are you planning on remodeling?”

  “I might. I’ll need the right tools.”

  “Welcome aboard! Let me know if you’ll need any heavy demolition equipment. It might not be in the budget, but we’ll see what we can do.” He winked.

  She laughed. They walked to the Youth Services office. She put down her tote, shifted the bag on her shoulder and took out her key. Opening the door, she stepped inside to see the flowers and chocolate kisses. She almost dropped the tote.

  She gasped, “Wow! The flowers are beautiful! Who has such lovely flowers?”

  His smile turned into a frown. “I don’t understand. You don’t share this office with anyone. The flowers are yours as a welcome to the library.”

  Flashing a brilliant smile, she clapped her hands. “Really? That’s so sweet. I’ve never been welcomed like this!”

  She leaned forward to inhale the flowers’ scent. She ge
ntly touched them. Watching her, he placed the tote on the floor next to hers. They were standing very close to each other. She leaned against the desk, shying away from him.

  He spoke softly. “I hope you’ll like it here, Miss Meara. We’re very happy to have you. If there’s anything I can do, please let me know. Tom and Lucy will be here soon.”

  She whispered, “I’m very glad to be here.”

  She wondered if he was going to kiss her hand again. Since they were inside the library, she thought she was safe. He would honor the parameters they had set. She would have like it if he had kissed her hand again. She would have liked it if he had kissed her on the lips. She blushed. He watched her blush and wondered what she was thinking. He was tempted to touch her dimple, but he restrained himself. He heard Tom and Lucy entering the building. Nodding, he left her office and greeted Tom and Lucy heartily. Tom and Lucy exchanged looks. They smiled at him.

  “I see our new Head of Youth Services has arrived,” said Tom. “You’re practically skipping with that grin on your face.”

  “Tom, be nice,” said Lucy. “How is Meara this morning?”

  “She’s fine and settling into her office,” said Duncan, failing miserably to suppress his grin. “You two should say hello. I’ll handle opening the library.”

  Lucy nodded. “I hope she brought a coffee mug. I’ll go check up on her.”

  When Lucy was out of earshot, Tom turned to Duncan. “What’s the plan?”

  “What do you mean? What plan?” Duncan replied, looking clueless.

  “The plan with Meara. Or should I say Miss Meara?” teased Tom.

  “There’s no plan, Tom. Miss Meara is a lovely woman and she’s going to be a great addition to our staff.”

  “That’s your story and you’re sticking to it?”

  “Yes,” said Duncan, looking in the direction of Meara’s office, his eyes softening. “For now.”

  “That’s the spirit!” Tom clapped Duncan on the back.

  Chapter Seven

  “Knock, knock!” said Lucy, standing in the doorway of Meara’s office. “What lovely flowers!”

  Meara was absentmindedly popping a Chocolate Kiss into her mouth. “Hi, Lucy! Thank you for the flowers and chocolate.”